How To Order A Full-Bodied Red Wine

How To Order The Juiciest, Sexiest Wines On The Menu

I work in a restaurant three nights a week. During my six hours on the floor recommending wine, I encounter people from all walks of life: local urban dwellers at the end of their workweek, travellers passing through, businesspeople wining and dining, etc. Even with a selection of approximately 150 wines, the majority of diners lean toward that deep purple, full-bodied, juicy bottle of red — the kind of wine that warms the soul with its mouthful of deliciousness. To start, let’s concentrate on a few specific grape varieties that fit this profile: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Malbec.

The good news is that you don’t have to be a wine expert to pick a good bottle out on a wine list. You don’t have to Google every fancy name on your iPhone, and, most importantly, you don’t have to worry about impressing anyone. It’s wine, it’s fun and it should be a celebration each time.

Cabernet Sauvignon, the big juicy red

A great option that pleases many people is Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Sauvignon grape basks under the hot, long sunny days, soaking up every ounce of heat. They’re like the husky weightlifter who pumps iron on the beach during the summer months, getting darker, thicker and bigger with every day. Cabernet Sauvignon thrives in these conditions. Also, this grape variety has an affinity for oak, creating a harmonious coupling that imparts aromas such as vanilla, tobacco and cinnamon spice to the wine.

Bordeaux, the sexy but aloof red

Or how about Bordeaux? The French name their wine after the region in which the wine is produced, not the grape variety it’s made from. So many aren’t aware that Bordeaux , which comes from a French winemaking region of the same name, is actually made with primarily Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Traditionally blended with several other grape varieties, Bordeaux is a full-bodied red just a little rougher around the edges than its brother from the West Coast. Bordeaux is the bad boy with the leather jacket; he can take a little time to soften up and enjoy, but he’s down to earth and you can see (or taste) right through to his core.

Shiraz, the earthy red

Cabernet Sauvignon is just the tip of the iceberg of this particular genre of wine. Imagine a chocolaty, espresso-y and black-peppery spice explosion on your palate: Now let me introduce you to Shiraz. Shiraz can easily surprise you with its multiple layers and personalities. For example, an Australian Shiraz will not disappoint if you enjoy a robust, fruit-forward red wine. On the other hand, French Shiraz prefers to show off its peppery, earthy side and expresses itself as the more rustic and subdued of the two. Either way, this bold grape variety is a favourite for many full-bodied wine lovers.

Malbec, the steak-loving red

Before you decide you’ve utterly fallen in love with one of these wines, try experimenting with our South American friend Malbec. Known as Argentina’s signature red grape variety, Malbec thrives in the semi-arid hot pocket of Mendoza Valley. The result is a smoky, rich, plush red wine that screams aromas of plum and pairs beautifully with most red meat dishes.

Start by giving these wines a try, and don’t worry if one of them doesn’t suit you. People, like wine, have very complex tastes. On the other hand, you may discover a new favourite to impress your friends at the next backyard barbecue or as you’re perusing a lengthy wine list at dinner. The bottom line is that it shouldn’t cost a week’s salary to purchase a bottle of wine, nor should it mean carrying the Wine Encyclopedia around in your back pocket just to understand what you are consuming. The discovery of wine should be relaxed and fun, wherever and with whomever it may be.